Neuropathologic studies of the encephalopathy of prematurity in the late preterm infant

Abstract

It has been widely suggested that brain damage in survivors of late preterm deliveries is similar to that in early preterm infants, only less severe. This report addresses this concept through reanalysis of published neuropathologic data obtained according to late preterm in comparison with early preterm ages. Findings suggest that the spectrum of brain injury in the late preterm infant, as determined in an autopsy population, is similar to that found in early preterm infants, with potential differential susceptibility for different neuronal, glial, and vascular indices. Further research is needed to more clearly define developmental cellular susceptibilities in preterm populations.

Keywords: Axonopathy; Cerebral cortex; Critical period; Periventricular leukomalacia; Thalamus.